The defender is widely expected to become the latest French import at St James' Park but his current club's supremo believes that the move is pointless as the player will only be resold next season.

Regular members of the France international squad Yohan Cabaye, Hatem Ben Arfa and Mathieu Debuchy are currently at the Magpies, while the likes of Gabriel Obertan, Papiss Cisse and Sylvain Marveaux are all also on the books, having previously plied their trade in France at some point.

"If he chooses Newcastle, he is an ass," Nicollin declared to L'Equipe.

"It is not my fault but I think the manager [Alan Pardew] played a role. Newcastle are really not a good choice. They will transfer him the next year.

"It doesn't bother me. We're not going to cry. He is not irreplaceable. The important thing is that we get money."